Who is Yip

E. Y. (Yip) Harburg, known as “Broadway’s social conscience” was a master lyricist, poet and book writer dedicated to social justice. His best-known songs include “Brother, Can You Spare a Dime?” and “Over The Rainbow.” Yip also wrote the lyrics to the rest of The Wizard of Oz and edited the final screenplay. The film will celebrate its 80th anniversary in 2019.

Yip’s Broadway classic is the witty and socially conscious Finian’s Rainbow (1947 music by Burton Lane; co-book by Fred Saidy).

Yip was a “fellow who followed a dream.” He believed that all people should be guaranteed basic human rights, political equality, free education and economic opportunity – beliefs he personified through his actions and songs.

*

Poems are made by fools like me,
But only God can make a tree;
And only God who makes the tree
Also makes the fools like me.
But only fools like me, you see,
Can make a God, who makes a tree.

– “Atheist” by E. Y. “Yip” Harburg

From Rhymes for the Irreverent

*

Quote of the Month

2 lyrics about Sundays

1944Sunday in Cicero Falls,Sunday in Cicero Falls,Shoes are brushed and shirts are starched,Hearts are pure and throats are parched,Sabbath has fallen on cobbles and wallsThank merciful HeavenJust one day in sevenIs Sunday in Cicero Falls,Sunday in Cicero Falls.

1950There’s a fine Sunday feeling‘Round that old village square,With those fine Sunday facesSmiling at you everywhere . . .

From the bells in the belfryComes a song everywhere,If it says “Love thy neighbor,”And thy neighbor’s young and fair,Thank that fine Sunday feeling in the air.